# Charlie Brown, Grinch, or Rudolph? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 1, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298 "2003-12-01T17:35:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Iacob\_Matthew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Iacob\_Matthew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iacob_Matthew)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/21 "2003-12-02T03:31:45Z")
I’ve never actually seen _A Christmas Story_ in its entirety, but I like what I’ve seen. Can’t rank it safely, but I’d prolly insert it at 4th, with _The Nightmare Before Christmas_ tying for second. Of the choices provided, however… Charlie Brown Grinch Rudolf ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/22 "2003-12-02T03:38:28Z")
Charlie Brown. For the MUSIC! Grinch. For Boris Can’t bear Rudy. ---
**Author:** ![Badandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/73ab20/32.png) [@Badandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badandi)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/23 "2003-12-02T03:45:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NoClueBoy \* > \*\*Charlie Brown. For the MUSIC! > \*\* Agreed. Vince Guaraldi just can’t be beat, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Brad\_Pittiful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b3f665/32.png) [@Brad\_Pittiful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brad_Pittiful)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/24 "2003-12-02T03:48:02Z")
they all rule…but as to rank them here i go 1 - chuck brown 2 - rudy 3 - grinch ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/25 "2003-12-02T05:34:06Z")
The older I got, the more I hated Rudolph. Mainly because of the rotten way Santa himself acts in that show. So the ranking goes: 1. Grinch 2. Charlie Brown 3. Santa Claus is Coming to Town 4. The Year Without a Santa 5. The original Frosty the Snowman 6. Rudolph 7. Frosty’s Winter Wonderland 8. Rudolph’s Shiny New Year 9. that crappy Frosty Returns show that came out a couple years ago 10. Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/26 "2003-12-02T06:25:36Z")
While it was definitely a fad for its era, I still hold a soft spot for Will Vinton’s Claymation Christmas (with the California Raisins! I liked their rendition of ‘We Three Kings’) and his Easter and (especially) Halloween specials. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/27 "2003-12-02T07:30:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Baker \* > \*\*You can get extra points if you give the name of the guy who sings “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” BTW. it’s not Boris Karloff, but the guy does do another famous animated voice. Think stripes. \*\* I’ll take those extra points. And, no offense, but that’s FAR too much in the way of hints, ma’am. It’s probably why nobody’s bothered up to now – too much pride. But I have NO pride. Thurl “Tony the Tiger” Ravenscroft. And **shelbo** , the story of the origin of Santa Claus, as narrated by Rankin-Bass’s Claymation rendering of letter carrier Fred Astaire, and featuring the Burghermeister Meister Burger, is called _Santa Claus Is Coming to Town_. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/28 "2003-12-02T07:52:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kaylasdad99 \* > And **shelbo** , the story of the origin of Santa Claus, as narrated by Rankin-Bass’s Claymation rendering of letter carrier Fred Astaire, and featuring the Burghermeister Meister Burger, is called _Santa Claus Is Coming to Town_. Dang it. I KNEW “Claymation” didn’t sound right. [Animagic.](http://www.rankinbass.com/rudolph6.html) ---
**Author:** ![Santos\_L\_Halper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/santos_l_halper/32/1_2.png) [@Santos\_L\_Halper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santos_L_Halper)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/29 "2003-12-02T08:12:49Z")
I’ve been a big fan of animation, both drawn and stop-motion my entire life. But for some reason I can’t really put my finger on, I’ve always hated the Rankin-Bass specials. They just really get on my nerves. I love **Charlie Brown Christmas** is touching and wonderful. It’s definitely a classic. But… How could the **Grinch** be anything but number one? Come on, it’s got **Dr. Seuss** _and_ **Chuck Jones** _and_ **Boris Karloff** _and_ **June Foray** _and_ **Thurl Ravenscroft**! It makes me all giddy and goose-bumply just thinking about it! 🙂 Eric ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/30 "2003-12-02T12:38:44Z")
Charlie Brown and the Grinch are pretty tightly tied for first place – I love both of them. But I think the Grinch may be just a speck ahead because of the lyrics to “Welcome Christmas” – _Christmas day will always be, just so long as we have we_ – snif. And I’d put “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” in the number 3 spot. You know, the one with Mickey Rooney as a somewhat sexy Santa puppet? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/31 "2003-12-02T13:44:33Z")
A special aired last year about the making of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Apparently the network didn’t want to use Vince Guaraldi’s music because it wasn’t “Christmasy” enough. They particularly didn’t like the music used during the dance sequence. Good thing Charles Schultz didn’t listen to them, as that piece of music must be one of the most identifiable instrumentals on the planet. I love all three of these shows, especially the music. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/32 "2003-12-02T15:17:10Z")
If it’s the song I’m thinking of, that starts out with the left hand piano rhythm, it’s originally from the first TV show (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (?) ) and it’s called _Linus and Lucy_. Love the whole album, but obviously, that song is what most people think of when Charlie Brown specials music is mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![evilhomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/43a26b/32.png) [@evilhomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhomer)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/33 "2003-12-02T15:29:06Z")
For me the rankings are: 1. The Grinch 2. Charlie Brown 3. Rudolph The Grinch is number one for me because I love to listen to Boris Karloff, and the rhyming narration just seems very soothing somehow. I like Charlie Brown, especially Linus’ telling of the true meaning of Christmas (and **Baker** , you’re right - you did pass up the perfect opportunity!). However, for me it loses points for the odd Snoopy dogfight scene. I never liked that part. Rudolph is last on the list because, while I like it, I’m content to see it once per season and that’s it. Oh, and the noise Rudolph’s nose makes when it lights up is way too annoying. ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Danno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Danno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Danno)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/34 "2003-12-02T15:53:24Z")
**1. The Grinch** 2. Everything else 3. Rudolph & his ilk Even as a kid, I DETESTED those stop-action Christmas stories. The Simpsons episodes where they show the kids watching the _The Happy Little Elves_ is dead on. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/35 "2003-12-02T16:26:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ElvisL1ves \* > **Damn, I thought this was going to be another “Who would beat whom?” thread. My bet was going to be on Rudolph, who could spear either Charlie or Grinchie with his antlers, perhaps one on each side. Or the Grinch could set a present in front of Charlie, then pull it away like Lucy when he goes to open it. The Grinch’s sleigh is cool, but can’t beat Rudolph’s ability to actually fly. That red nose could, for all we know, be the tip of a death-ray laser.** Ah, but don’t forget – when he’s boxed into a corner, the Grinch can acquire the strength of **ten** Grinches, plus two! When I read the title of the thread, I thought the full question was going to start with, “If you had a gun and only one bullet…” ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/36 "2003-12-02T17:17:28Z")
Charlie Brown [list=1] [li]Charlie Brown[/li][li]Charlie Brown[/li][li]Charlie Brown[/li][li]Charlie Brown[/li][li]Charlie Brown[/li][li]Charlie Brown[/li][li]Charlie Brown[/li][li]Charlie Brown[/li][li]Charlie Brown[/li][li]Charlie Brown[/li][li]Charlie Brown[/li][li]Charlie Brown[/li][/list=1] Neither of the others even get a blip on the radar by comparison. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/37 "2003-12-02T19:14:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NoClueBoy \* > \*\*If it’s the song I’m thinking of, that starts out with the left hand piano rhythm, it’s originally from the first TV show (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (?) ) and it’s called _Linus and Lucy_. > > Love the whole album, but obviously, that song is what most people think of when Charlie Brown specials music is mentioned. \*\* Sorry, **NoClueBoy** , _Linus and Lucy_ was, in fact, introduced in _A Charlie Brown Christmas_, the first “Peanuts” special. _You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown_ is a stage musical, and while it has been produced for television, it does not contain any music by Vince Guaraldi. It does have a song of Lucy teaching Linus some rather dubious information, but the title of this song is “Little Known Facts.” ---
**Author:** ![Kyann22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a4c791/32.png) [@Kyann22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyann22)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/38 "2003-12-02T19:26:01Z")
I love the grinch, so… 1. Grinch 2. Charlie Brown (I love the Christmas tree. It’s too much) 3. Rudolph (I think this one might have scared me a bit as a kid) I think Charlie Brown comes on tonight! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/39 "2003-12-02T19:30:56Z")
1. Charlie Brown 2. Grinch 3. Rudolph And if we open up the field to any Christmas-themed program. . 1. Scrooge (the 1951 version with Alastair Sim) 2. White Christmas 3. Christmas in Connecticut 4. Charlie Brown ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298/40 "2003-12-02T19:54:31Z")
Charlie Brown is on tonight, on ABC. (It was always CBS when I was a kid). I have to agree with **Santos L Halper**. I love animation of any kind but the Rankin Bass shows always bugged me too. I have a soft spot for Rudolph but even it’s annoying. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-brown-grinch-or-rudolph/216298.md?page=3)